The 2019 Washington Nationals started off the 2019 season with a 19-31 record, one of the worst in the majors.
But a talented roster helped turn things around, as they finished 93-69 and secured a Wild Card spot.
One of the main drivers of the team’s success in the last few months of the season was outfielder Gerardo Parra.
Never a slugger or a potent hitter, his good energy was extremely contagious.
He adopted the popular “Baby Shark” as his walk-up song, and a few weeks later, the whole stadium was dancing at it as he went to bat.
Late in the season, the Nats celebrated every hit, double, triple, and home run with parts of the dance.
The man who turned around the Nationals’ 2019 season and helped deliver a World Series title has now announced his retirement from MLB.
“Gerardo Parra announces his retirement from baseball after 12 seasons in the majors. • 2x Gold Glove winner • 2019 World Series champion • Baby Shark extraordinaire,” B/R Walk Off tweeted.
Gerardo Parra announces his retirement from baseball after 12 seasons in the majors.
• 2x Gold Glove winner
• 2019 World Series champion
• Baby Shark extraordinairepic.twitter.com/KWSbLAgfbb— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) May 16, 2022
People In Washington Adopted Baby Shark Thanks To Him
In the video, you can see the crowd dancing at the song and just having a great time.
Parra was the heart and soul of that 2019 team: he even got Stephen Strasburg to smile and hug him!
That year, he hit just .234/.293/.391, but his impact was mostly felt off the field; in the dugout.
In any case, Parra had a great career.
He was a plus defender back in his prime, as he won two Gold Gloves in the outfield.
He hit 90 home runs and stole 97 bases, won a World Series title, and made a lot of friends.
He will now be a special assistant for the Nationals.
Happy trails to one of the funniest, more energetic guys in baseball.
NEXT: MLB Teams Off To A Bad Start Must Remember The 2019 Nationals